N-substituted glycine derivatives



United States Patent Oihce 3,504,013 Patented Mar. 31, 1970 Int. c1. 101/44, 103/22 US. Cl. 260471 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Novel Nsubstituted glycine derivatives are prepared from the corresponding substituted benzophenones. These novel glycine derivatives are useful as intermediates in the preparation of known pharmaceutically valuable benzodiazepine derivatives.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 400,891 filed Oct. 1, 1964, now Patent No. 3,317,518.

This invention relates to novel benzodiazepine compounds, their preparation and novel intermediates therefor. More particularly, this invention relates to novel S-aryl- 1,2,4,5tetrahydrobenzodiazepin-3one compounds. The novel benzodiazepine compounds of this invention are selected from the group of compounds of the formula wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; R represents a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl and A represents a member selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy.

More specifically, the novel benzodiazepines of this invention can be represented by the formulae wherein R and R are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy, and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

Compounds of Formula Ia where R is in the 7-position constitute a preferred group.

The novel compounds of Formula I are prepared by intramolecularly condensing a compound of the formula wherein R R and A have the same meaning as above and R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy and amino.

As used in this application, the term lower alkyl refers to both straight and branched chain lower hydrocarbon radicals such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and the like. The term halogen comprehends all four halogens, viz iodine, bromine, fluorine and chlorine (the latter three being preferred). Lower alkoxy comprehends ether radicals wherein the lower alkyl moiety is the same as defined for lower alkyl above, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, etc. Amino comprehends unsubstituted and substituted amino groups such as NH NH (lower r' alkyl) and --N(lower alkyl) Aryloxy comprehends ether radicals bearing an aromatic hydrocarbon group, for example, phenoxy and the like.

The novel benzodazepine compounds of this invention conforming to Formula I above have valuable medicinal properties. More particularly, they are useful as anticonvulsants. They are especially useful as anticonvulsants since they give rise to a minimum of side effects. Especially preferred are the compounds of Formula I above wherein R is chloro and is in the 7-position.

In general, the compounds can be formulated with conventional inert adjuvants into dosage forms suitable for oral or parenteral administration. Such dosage forms include tablets, capsules, suppositories, injectable solutions, suspensions and the like. They can be taken internally, for example, orally or parenterally. The frequency of administration is variable depending upon the needs and requirements of the patient.

As stated above, compounds of Formula I can be prepared via intramolecular condensation of compounds of Formula II. The compounds of Formula II, depending upon the meaning of R, are either amino acetic acids, amino acetates (i.e., esters) or amino acetamides. While the intramolecular condensation can be effected with any of these, it is preferred to effect the intramolecular condensation utilizing the compounds of Formula I which are amino acetic acids (i.e., R is hydroxy). In such instances, the intramolecular condensation constitutes a dehydration. The intramolecular condensation can be suitably effected by heating a compound of Formula II in an inert organic solvent. The dehydration embodiment (i.e., where R is hydroxy) constitutes a specific exemplification of the intramolecular condensation. This dehydra tion can be effected by any suitable means but preferably is effected by heating in an inert organic solvent. The temperature of the heating can vary over a wide range but it is preferred to operate at a temperature in the range of about 25 C. to about 300 C. with a temperature range of about C. to about 200 C. being especially preferred. Representative organic solvents which are useful in this aspect of the invention are hydrocarbons, for example, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as xylene and the like, halogen-containing hydrocarbons such as ethylene dichloride and the like, ethers, such as dioxane, ethers of ethylene glycol, tetrahydrofuran, diisobutyl ether and the like, and basic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic solvents such as pyridine, piperidine and the like. Mixtures of inert organic solvents can also be used.

The intramolecular condensation of compounds of Formula II which are esters or amides, i.e., where R is lower alkoxy, aryloxy or amino, can be effected in several ways. The ester and amides of Formula II can be cyclized directly to form the corresponding Formula I compounds. Cyclization of the esters or the amides of Formula II is suitably eifected by heating the appropriate ester or amide in a heterocyclic solvent such as pyridine and preferably in the presence of a catalyst such as pyridine hydrochloride. Alternatively, the esters and amides of Formula II can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding amino acetic acids which are the preferred starting materials for the intramolecular condensation.

The hydrolysis of the amino acetate ester or amino acetamide of Formula II to the corresponding acid is suitably effected via either acid or alkaline hydrolysis and can be eflected at either room temperature or above or below room temperature. Preferably, it is effected at above room temperature by refluxing the appropriate ester or the amide in an acidic or basic aqueous medium.

Compounds corresponding to Formula II above are novel compounds which also form part of this invention. They may be synthesized by converting an N-(2-aroylphenyl)glycine derivative to its oxime with hydroxylamine and, in a next step, reducing the oxime to form the corresponding Formula II compound.

The oxime intermediates of this invention are of the formula NCH2OOR C=N O E (III) wherein R, R R and A have the same significance as above.

The oximes of Formula III are prepared by treating an N-(Z-aroylphenyl) glycine of the formula wherein the symbol R represents hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy and amino; R represents hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, cyano, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; R represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the symbol A represents pyridyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy with hydroxylamine or a salt of hydroxylamine such as hydroxylamine hydrochloride in an organic solvent. Any organic solvent which is insert under the reaction conditions employed can be used. However, it is preferred to use a basic nitrogen-containing solvent such as pyridine. While the reaction temperature is not critical in this step of the process, it has been found convenient to operate at an elevated temperature. An especially suitable temperature is the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

Reduction of the oxime to the corresponding compounds of Formula II can be accomplished either chemically or catalytically such as, for example, by treating with zinc and aqueous alcoholic ammonia or by the catalytic addition of hydrogen, for example, with a nickel catalyst or a palladium/charcoal catalyst.

The compounds of Formula IV above, are prepared by a variety of methods. They can be prepared, for example, from known compounds of the formula A (Va) wherein the symbols R R and A have the same significance as above.

Representative compounds meeting this description which can be suitably used as starting materials in this aspect of the invention are, for example, 2-amino-5- chlorobenzophenone, 2-amino-5-methylbenzophenone, 2 amino S-nitrobenzophenone, 2-amino-5-trifluoromethylbenzophenone, Z-amino-5-nitro-2'-fluorobenzophenone, 2- amino 5,2'-dichlorobenzophenone, 2-amino-5-chloro-2- fluorobenzophenone, 2 amino 2' fluorobenzophenone, (Z-aminobenzoyl) pyridine and (Z-amino-S-chlorobenzoyl) pyridine.

The novel compounds of Formula IV are prepared from compounds of Formula Va by treating the appropriate Formula Va compound, with an alkylating agent. The reaction is suitably carried out in an inert organic solvent such as lower aliphatic alcohol, dioxan, tetrahydrofuran and the like. The reaction can be carried out over a wide range of temperatures; however, it is prefererd to operate at an elevated temperature. A suitable reaction temperature is the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. Suitable alkylating agents for use in this process are, for example, the haloacetic acids, haloacetic acid esters and haloacetarnides which can be represented by the formula XCH COR wherein X represents halogen, i.e., bromine, chlorine, iodine and fluorine and R is hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy or amino.

Representative alkylating agents are, for example, bromoacetic acid, ethylbromoacetate and bromoacetamides such as a-bromoacetamide, N-lower alkyl oc-bI'O- moacetamide and N,N-di-lower alkyl-ot-bromoacetamide. Halo derivatives of the named compounds other than bromo can also be used; it is preferred, however, to use the bromo or chloro derivatives.

Alternatively, the compounds of Formula IV can be prepared by initially treating a known compound of the formula wherein Y is N0 or trifluoromethyl and wherein A and X have the same significance as above with a compound of the formula R NHCH COR (VII) wherein R and R have the same significance as above.

Compounds answering to the above description of Formula VII compounds are, for example, glycine, the lower alkyl esters of glycine such as glycine ethyl ester, etc., and glycine amides, i.e., the primary, secondary and tertiary amides of glycine.

The reaction of the Formula Vb compound with a compound of Formula VII is preferably carried out in an inert organic solvent at an elevated temperature. Suitable solvents are, for example, dimethylformamide, alcohols such as n-butanol, ethers such as dioxane or inert organic bases such as pyridine, morpholine or quinoline and the like. It is preferred to carry out the reaction at an elevated temperature such as, for example, a temperature between about room temperature and the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. It can, however, if desired, be carried out at room temperature or below. A convenient temperat ure at which to carry out the reaction is the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

In a next step, the substituent denoted as R in Formula IV can be obtained as other than N0 or trifluoromethyl by replacement of the N0 group in the 5-position of the compound obtained as the reaction product of the reaction of a Formula VII compound with a compound of Formula Vb in which Y represents nitro. Thus, for example, the nitro group can be reduced to amino and such amino group can be further replaced by other groups such as hydrogen, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, and the like by replacement reactions which are known per se, such as, for example, Sandmeyer-type replacements.

As indicated above, substituents R and R can be introduced into either or both the aryl rings before the heterocyclic nucleus conforming to Formula I above is formed, i.e., on any of the various intermediate compounds or after the heterocyclic compound of Formula I has been formed. Additionally, compounds of Formula I or any of the various intermediates of Formulas H, III and IV which have a primary or a secondary amino group can obviously be acylated or alkylated by known techniques. Those compounds containing a lactam group can likewise be N-alkylated by known methods. All compounds of Formulas I, II, III or IV which have a basic nitrogen group can be converted to the corresponding acid addition salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are made from pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrohalic acids, e.g., hydrochloric and hydrobromic, maleic acid, citric acid and the like.

The compounds of Formula I can, if desired, be reduced to a 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-aryl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine com pound of the formula (VIII) wherein R and A have the same significance as above.

The compounds of Formula VIII are known pharmacologically useful compounds. The reduction of the compounds of Formula I is effected by known reducing methods such as with lithium aluminum hydride under anhydrous conditions. The reaction is conveniently carried out in an organic solvent at an elevated temperature. A suitable temperature is the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. Upon completion of the reaction, the product is worked up in the usual manner as will be more fully illustrated by the examples given hereinafter.

From the above description, it will be readily appreciated that this invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-aryl-1H-l,4-benzodiazepines. Hence, the compounds of this invention are also useful as intermediates in the synthesis of such known benzodiazepines.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invent on. All temperatures are in degrees centigrate and all melting points are corrected.

EXAMPLE 1 A mixture of 23.1 g. (0.1 mole) of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone, 150 cc. of ethanol and 10.6 g. (0.1 mole) of sodium carbonate was stirred and heated to reflux. Ethyl bromoacetate (10.1 cc., 16.7 g., 0.1 mole) was added dropwise over minutes and the reaction mixture was then stirred and refluxed for 30 hours. The hot mixture was filtered through a pad of Hyflo and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized twice from 100 cc. of ethanol to give N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester, melting at 103-105". The pure substance recrystallized from ethanol, melted at 104- 106.

EXAMPLE 2 A solution of 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzophenone (52 gm., 200 millimoles) and glycine ethyl ester (41 gm., 400 millimoles) in anhydrous pyridine (50 ml.), was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. A further quantity of glycine ethyl ester (21 gm.) was added, and refluxing was continued for another 6 hours, after which the mixture was concentrated in vacuo, and poured into water. Excess sodium hydroxide solution was added, and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was washed, dried (Na SO and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in a small volume of methanol, and this solution was added slowly to well stirred ice-cold 1 N hydrochloric acid (450 ml.), and was then stirred for 17 hours at 25 C. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo at 25 C. to remove most of the methanol, and was then cooled, and made basic with dilute sodium hydroxide solution, followed by extraction with methylene chloride. Evaporation of the washed and dried (Na SO extract gave the crude product as an oil. This was purified by filtration of a benzene solution through a short column containing 260 gm. Woelm activity III neutral alumina. Evaporation of the benzene eluates, and recrystallization of the residue from methylene chloridehexane, gave N-(2-benzoyl-4-nitrophenyl) glycine ethyl ester as yellow crystals, melting at 124-127 C. The analysis sample was further recrystallized from methylene chloride-hexane, and obtained as yellow needles, melting at 128130 C.

EXAMPLE 3 A solution of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester (95.4 gm., 0.300 mole), in anhydrous pyridine (500 ml.) was treated with a hydroxylamiue hydrochloride (23.1 gm., 0.330 mole) and stirred and refluxed for 20 hours. Then about 200-250 ml. of the pyridine was distilled off through a short Vigreux column during 3-4 hours and finally the mixture was concentrated in vacuo to a small volume. The concentrate was poured into 10- 20 volumes of water, and stirred until the resulting precipitate was entirely crystalline. The crude product was filtered oflf, washed with water and recrystallized from aqueous ethanol, giving yellow crystals of N-(2-benzoyl- 4-chlorophenyl) glycine ethyl ester oxime, melting at -115 C. Recrystallization from benzene-hexane gave the nearly pure product as cream-colored prisms, melting at 132-234" C.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester oxime (3.327 gm., 10 millimoles) in a mixture of ethanol (200 ml.) and water (50 ml.) was warmed in a water-bath at 5560 C., and titrated with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution (phenolphthalein indicator), allowing the reddish color of the solution to be discharged in between each addition of alkali. The calculated volume of sodium hydroxide solution (100 ml. of 0.1 N) was consumed in 5-6 hours. The solution was concentrated in vacuo to about 100 ml., filtered and acidified with dilute acetic acid. The crude product was extracted with methylene chloride, and obtained as a yellow gum. Recrystallization from methylene chloride-hexane gave cream-colored prisms of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl) glycine oxime, melting at 163 C. Further recrystallizations from methanol-methylene chloride-hexane, and from aqueous ethanol gave colorless needles, melting at -168 C.

EXAMPLE 5 To N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester oxime (83.2 gm., 0.25 mole) in methanol (2 1.), was added a suspension of 10 percent palladium-on-charcoal catalyst (12.5 gm.) in 6 N hydrochloric acid (100 ml.). The mixture was hydrogenated at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. After the absorption of 2 molar proportions of hydrogen (6.5 hours) reduction was stopped, the catalyst was filtered off on a bed of Hy-flo and washed with methanol. The filtrates were evaporated in vacuo at 30 C. and the resulting residue was partitioned between water (strongly acid due to excess HCl present) and ether. The aqueous acid layer was cooled, made basic with sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with methylene chloride to give N-[2-(u-aminobenzy1)- 4-chlorophenyl] glycine ethyl ester as a light yellow-brown crystalline residue which upon recrystallization from ether-pentane gave colorless prisms melting at 87-89. The aqueous alkaline layer, after extraction with methylene chloride, was neutralized (pH 6) with dilute acetic acid, to give a crystalline precipitate of the amino acid N-[2-(a-aminobenzyl) 4 chlorophenyllglycine which melted at 183-185".

EXAMPLE 6 N [2 (a-aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl]glycine ethyl ester (54.7 gm., 0.171 mole), obtained in the previous example, was hydrolyded by refluxing it in a mixture of ethanol (400 ml.) and N-sodium hydroxide solution (200 ml., 0.200 mole) for 3 hours. The mixture was then concentrated in vacuo to remove most of the ethanol, diluted with water and filtered. The filtrate was cooled, acidified with dilute acetic acid (pH 5-6) and refrigerated to give N-[2-a-aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl]glycine as a colorless crystalline precipitate, melting at 185187 C. The analysis sample was recrystallized from methylene chloride-methanol-ethanol-hexane and from water and was obtained as colorless prisms, melting at 178180 C.

EXAMPLE 7 N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester oxime (3.33 gm., l millimoles) in a mixture of ethanol (35 ml.) and 28 percent aqueous ammonia (80 ml.) was treated with ammonium chloride (0.7 gm.), and stirred and refluxed during the portionwise addition of zinc dust gm.) over 1.5-2 hours. Stirring and refluxing were continued for a further 4 hours, then the mixture was filtered, the filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and poured into water. Extraction with methylene chloride gave the crude products as a yellow foam. This was hydrolyzed to the amino acid N[2-(a-aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl[glycine by treatment with a refluxing mixture of N-sodium hydroxide solution (6 ml.) and ethanol (12 ml.) for 3 hours. The mixture was cooled, diluted with water and acidified with 3 N acetic acid (pH 5-6) to give crude N-[Z-(oc aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl] glycine which, after recrystallization from methanol-methylene chloride-hexane, formed cream-colored prisms, melting at 176l79 C.

EXAMPLE 8 N [2-(u-aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl]glycine (44.0 gm., 0.151 mole), abtained by the method of Example 5, 6 or 7 was cyclized, by refluxing it in xylene (880 ml.), under a Dean-Stark water-separator. After 2-3 hours, no more water was seen to separate and the solution was slowly concentrated by removal of xylene from the separator until the volume of refluxing solvent had been reduced to about 440 ml. This solution was filtered hot; on cooling, it deposited 7-chloro-l,2,4,S-tetrahydro-S-phenyl- 3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one as pale cream-colored prisms, melting at 181l84 C. Dilution of the mother liquors with hexane afforded a second crop of tan-colored prisms, melting at 160-170 C. This was purified by dissolving it in methylene chloride, filtration through a bed of Woelrn neutral alumina, activity III, concentration of the eluates, and addition of hexane, to give cream-colored prisms, melting at l79-182 C.

EXAMPLE 9 N [2(ot-aminobenzyl)-4-chlorophenyl]glycine ethyl ester (3.19 gm., 10 millimoles), in anhydrous pyridine (60 ml.), was treated with pyridine hydrochloride (1.16 gm., 10 millimoles) and finely powdered Drierite (1.36 gm., 10 millimoles). The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 18 hours, with protection from atmospheric moisture. The solvent was then evaporated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and dilute acetic acid (pH circa 4). The Drierite was filtered off and the methylene chloride layer was washed successively with water, sodium bicarbonate solution and water; it

was then dried (Na SO and filtered through a short column containing Woelm neutral alumina, activity III (50 gm.). Evaporation of the eluates gave a light brown oil. Recrystallizations from methylene chloride-hexane and from acetone-hexane, gave 7-chloro-l,2,4,5tetrahydr0-5- phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one as colorless prisms, melting at 185-187 C.

EXAMPLE 10 A suspension of lithium aluminum hydride (0.80 gm., 20 millimoles) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (60 ml.) was prepared by refluxing for 0.5 hour, with protection from atmospheric moisture. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature and treated with a solution of 7- chloro-1,2,4,S-tetrahydro-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin 3-one; (2.73 gm.) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran ml.) added over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 4 minutes, allowed to cool for 5 minutes, then cooled rapidly to room temperature and stirred for 45 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled in an ice-bath and treated dropwise with saturated aqueous sodium sulfate solution (7 ml.), to decompose excess lithium aluminum hydride. Anhydrous sodium sulfate was added to dry the solution and the inorganic salts were filtered oil on a bed of Hy-flo and washed with ether. The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo and the resulting residue was partitioned between ether and dilute hydrochloric acid. The aqueous acid layer was made basic with dilute sodium hydroxide solution and extracted with methylene chloride to give the free base, 7-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro- S-phenyl-lH-1,4-benzodiazepine, as a gum. A portion of the product was converted to the hydrochloride, by dissolving it in the calculated quantity of methanolic hydrochloric acid and addition of ether to precipitate the hydrochloride, which was recrystallized from methanolacetone and obtained asyellowish plates, melting at 259- 261 C.

EXAMPLE 11 To a solution of 7-chloro-1,2,4,S-tetrahydro-S-phenyl- 3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one (27.2 gm., 0.100 mole) in tetrahydrofuran (200 ml.) was added 10 percent palladiumcharcoal catalyst (2.7 gm.) and potassium acetate (15 gm., 0.153 mole). The mixture was shaken in an atmosphere of hydrogen at 25 C. and atmospheric pressure until absorption ceased (55 hours). The catalyst was filtered oil on a bed of Hy-flo, washed with methylene chloride and discarded. The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo, giving the crude product, 1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-3-one, as a light brown solid residue. Recrystallization from acetone-ether yielded colorless prisms, melting at 187-l88 C.

EXAMPLE 12 (A) A mixture of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)- glycine ethyl ester (25 gm.), dioxane (200 ml.), concentrated hydrochloric acid (60 ml.) and water (60 ml.) was refluxed for 20 hours. The product crystallized on cooling and was recrystallized from acetonitrile to give yellow crystals of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)glycine melting at 188-189".

(B) N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl) glycine ethyl ester 100 gm., 0.314 mol) was added to a solution of sodium hydroxide (100 gm., 2.5 mols) in a mixture of water (1.5 liters) and ethanol (50 ml.) and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for 20 hours. The mixture was then cooled and acidified with 6 N hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitated product was filtered off, washed with water and recrystallized from acetonitrile to give yellow crystals of N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl) glycine melting at 179- 182 C.

EXAMPLE 13 A mixture of 2-chloro-S-nitrobenzophenone (52 gm., 0.2 mol), sarcosine (20 gm., 0.22 mol), ethanol (250 ml.) and triethylamine (29 ml., 40.5 gm., 0.4 mol) was stirred and refluxed for 27 hours. The mixture was then evaporated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between dilute sodium hydroxide solution and ether. Some undissolved material was filtered off and the two layers of the filtrate were separated. The precipitate was combined with the aqueous layer and the mixture was acidified with 3 N acetic acid (to pH about 4). The resulting precipitated product was filtered ofi, washed with a little water and dried in vacuo. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gave yellow prisms of N-(Z-benzoyl- 4-nitrophenyl)-N-methylglycine melting at 161163.

EXAMPLE 14 A mixture of N-(2-benZoyl-4-nitrophenyl)glycine ethyl ester (30.0 gm., 91.4 mm.) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (6.95 gm., 100 mm.) in anhydrous pyridine (150 ml.) was stirred and refluxed for 21 hours. The solution was then concentrated by slow distillation through a short Vigreux column until about 100-110 ml. of distillate had been collected. The concentrated solution was then poured into ice-water (500 ml.) and the resulting precipitated product was filtered off and washed with water. Recrystallization from methanol gave N-(2- benzoyl-4-nitr0phenyl)glycine ethyl ester oxime melting at 167-169". Further recrystallizations from methylene chloride-hexane gave yellow prisms of the product which melted at 173175.

We claim:

1. A compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula l a -NCH2COR wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; R represents a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; A represents a member selected from the group consisting of pyridyl, unsubstituted phenyl and phenyl substituted by a member selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifiuoromethyl, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy and amino.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein A is phenyl or phenyl substituted by a member selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifiuoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, having the formula wherein R is hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy or amino; R and R are each independently hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

3. A compund according to claim 2 wherein R is hydrogen and R is lower alkoxy, having the formula NH CH2C O-lower alkoxy R1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1965 Sternbach et al. 260-518 OTHER REFERENCES Fieser, L. F., et al.: Organic Chemistry, Reinhold Publishing Corp. (London) (1956), p. 703 relied on.

LORRAINE A. WEINBERGER, Primary Examiner L. ARNOLD THAXTON, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

